Press release: Showcasing potential use of satellite communications and Earth observation for eCall system at ITS Europe 2017

Showcasing potential use of satellite communications and Earth observation for eCall system at ITS Europe 2017

15 June 2017: The extended opportunities offered by emergency call system, eCall, will be demonstrated by the Satellite Applications Catapult for the first time at next week’s ITS Europe Congress.

ITS Europe 2017 brings together stakeholders from across the intelligent transport systems sector, and takes place in Strasbourg from 19-22 June.

The Catapult will be coordinating a demonstration for the EU-funded I_HeERO project supported by the project consortium. This will include demonstration about eCall for Trucks with access to a cargo information service, the use of Earth observation imagery for situational awareness with Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) software, an implementation of eCall over satellite and what next generation eCall could bring. In addition, the Catapult will be showcasing work it has undertaken with Emergency Services community, highway message boards using satellite and video link using hybrid communications.

Stuart Martin, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult, said: “ITS European Congress gives us the opportunity to showcase the far-reaching benefits of satellite technologies and applications to the intelligent transport sector. This is the third year we have been involved in the Congress and this year we are looking forward to demonstrating the potential power of the eCall system and the enhanced impact through the use of satellite technologies.”

Intelligent Transport Systems is one of the Catapult’s focused programmes which is aimed at unlocking the UK’s potential in providing satellite applications and services that deliver ground-breaking solutions to transport issues.

During the conference, eCall demonstrations will take place in the large tent at the eastern entrance of the Exhibition Hall from 09:00-18:00 on 20-21 June, and 09:00-14:00 on 22 June. The Catapult will also be on stand A30.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to listen to the Catapult’s Chief Technology Officer, Paul Febvre, who is moderating a session entitled ‘Satellite technologies applied to mobility’ (20 June – 16:00-17.30) alongside speakers from Inmarsat, Intelsat, European GNSS Agency, DG CONNECT (European Commission) and the International Space University.

The Catapult has organised and will be moderating a special interest session about ‘5G in ITS – powered by satellite communications’ (21 June – 09:00-10:30). Representatives from Inmarsat, Intelsat and Livewire (UK SME) will be contributing to the session.

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For further information, please contact Karen Rogers

karen.rogers@sa.catapult.org.uk | +44 (0) 1235 567999

About the Satellite Applications Catapult

Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd is an independent innovation and technology company, created by Innovate UK to drive economic growth through the exploitation of space. Its vision – ‘to innovate for a better world, empowered by satellites’ – will be achieved by helping businesses of all sizes to realise their potential from space infrastructure and applications. This is part of its objective of helping grow the UK space industry and capture 10% of the global space market by 2030. The Catapult works with the UK industrial and academic communities, by being a focal point where small and medium enterprises, large industry and end users can work together with researchers to challenge barriers, explore and develop new ideas, and bring these to commercial reality.

About Catapult centres

Catapult centres are established and overseen by Innovate UK. They are places where the best of the UK’s innovative businesses and researchers work together to bring new products and services more quickly to commercialisation. Focusing on areas with great market potential, Catapults will open up global opportunities for the UK and generate economic growth for the future. For more information, please visit www.catapult.org.uk.

About Innovate UK

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. We are business focused and drive disruptive innovation right across the UK economy, funding and connecting pioneering businesses so they can create the products, processes and industries of the future. It is our mission to boost productivity, increase exports and help the UK economy grow head and shoulders above other nations. For further information and to stay updated on our latest news visit www.gov.uk/innovateuk, follow us on Twitter at @innovateuk or subscribe to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/InnovateUK.